Before you start
This guide is for Build 42. Build 41 saves and mods must not be treated as compatible Build 42 material. Match the exact server and client build before testing a join.
Agree on the same game build and branch for everyone. The Indie Stone's Build 42 release guidance warns about save incompatibility across major build transitions. Preserve your previous server and backups before switching versions; start this guide with a fresh Build 42 world.
Use a Windows 10 or 11 x64 PC. Keep it on, awake, and connected while friends play, with enough memory left for Windows and your own game.
New to Tavern? Apply for the alpha. If you already have a server, keep a separate backup before linking or importing it.
Set up with Tavern
Choose the world and gameplay preset
Choose Project Zomboid and Install a new server. Set the server name, player limit, gameplay preset, and whether the world pauses while empty. Keep the installed server branch aligned with your friends' clients.
Separate player and administrator access
Choose whether a player password is required. Share that password with the group, but keep administration credentials private. A player may also need their own server username and password; that is separate from the server's shared join password.
Allow first startup to finish
Complete Tavern's file, settings, and network checks before starting. First startup can take time while the world and server data are prepared. Read the current progress and any requested action instead of repeatedly starting another copy.
Finish the review and choose Create server. When setup is complete, start it and follow any instructions Tavern shows. Join yourself, then ask a friend to try the connection your group will use.
Bring your friends
Local, direct, or Steam discovery
Use Join > Favorites with the address and game port for the selected route. A public Steam listing helps discovery but does not open your router or prove reachability. Follow Tavern's UDP network checklist for a direct internet route.
Optional Playit
Use Tavern's Playit join address in Join > Favorites with Steam Relay unchecked, as instructed by the Tavern setup. Keep the Playit agent and required connections available while playing.
Changing local ports
For custom ports, stop the selected server and open Networking > Ports. Edit its local ports, save, update any router or tunnel mappings, then start the server and use the updated address. Tavern keeps game-required adjacent ports together and checks for conflicts. These controls require a Tavern build with the Ports section.
Share the connection details from the right server in Tavern. For friends outside your home, test with someone on another network; joining from the host PC alone is not enough.
Make it your world
Sandbox rules and server rules
Review Settings > Game Config for the gameplay preset and game settings. Zomboid uses both an INI server configuration and Lua sandbox settings. Keep changes associated with the same server profile and follow restart guidance.
Pause while empty
Tavern includes the pause-empty choice. Review it with the group before leaving the server running unattended, rather than assuming the world will stop progressing when the last survivor leaves.
Protect your progress
Use a backup of the whole selected server data, including the world, player/account data, and server configuration. A map folder alone is not a complete recovery plan. Keep the original when reviewing an existing server, and do not mix Build 41 and Build 42 save trees.
In Backups, choose Create backup for this server. Wait for Activity to report completion and check that the backup appears in the list. Do this before updates, imports, or major changes.
Restoring replaces the current world data, so keep a copy of your latest progress first. Use Tavern's stop control and wait for shutdown before turning the PC off.
If something gets stuck
The client and server disagree
Check the exact build and selected branch on both sides. A shared Build 42 label is not enough if the installed patch versions differ. Review mods separately before making network changes.
A survivor cannot log in
Distinguish the shared server password from that survivor's account credentials. Review the player access settings and preserve account data rather than deleting it to force a new login.
Do I need to leave my game open?
The dedicated server runs separately from your game client. The host PC, server, and selected connection route need to remain available while friends play.
Sources & testing status
Checked against Tavern's app source and the publisher resources below. Game support is in beta; your installed alpha may differ. This review did not include a new gameplay, restore, or outside-network join test.
The game's documentation may include features Tavern does not yet offer. Use the options available in your version of the app.